About the Los Angeles Auto Show

Hyundai held two big reveals at the Los Angeles Auto Show: the Veloster C3 Roll Top concept and the new six- and seven-passenger Santa Fe SUV.

The Veloster C3 Roll Top concept is based on the three-door Veloster hatch. It features a dual-function convertible roof and a tailgate that replaces the standard car's hatchback. The concept is inspired by customized fixed-gear bicycles.

The personalization of the C3 starts at the exterior modifications, which are cheap and replaceable. The mirror caps and rear wheel covers can be painted, replaced or removed.

Hyundai says the color palette of red, black, white and teal was also influenced by the fixie culture, and that many other combinations were considered. The black parts—spoiler, rear reflector bezels, license plate pocket and badge—are done in matte black paint.

Other design elements include the large, circular, center-mounted exhaust pipes, sculpted side skirts, hexagonal front grille and LED accents in the headlights.

The C3 Roll Top is also meant to be a sustainable concept. (Of course it is.) The convertible top was inspired by billboard advertising found on soft-side trailers. Inside, the cargo floor is covered in a mosaic of old skateboard decks with a bit of wear on them.

Power comes from the 1.6-liter turbocharged motor found in the Veloster Turbo. It makes 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.

A car that we know Hyundai will actually produce is the six- and seven-passenger Santa Fe SUV. It's been one of the company's bigger sellers since its release in 2000.

The Santa Fe will use the company's 290-hp, 3.3-liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds and Hyundai says it has a high thermal capacity, helpful for pulling loads up hills.

Hyundai's Active Cornering Control All-Wheel-Drive system is optional. The system controls torque and braking in conjunction with the Vehicle Stability Management system. This can anticipate traction requirements and deliver additional stability through braking. The Dynamax AWD system can distribute torque to a single wheel through a multiclutch plate. Hyundai says all this will improve lateral stability while cornering, remove understeer and oversteer, and help during towing.

Pricing for the 2013 Sante Fe will be announced closer to its on-sale time of early next year. It joins the five-passenger Sante Fe Sport and the rest of Hyundai's lineup on the stand in Los Angeles later this week.

The 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show takes place Nov. 28 through Dec. 9. In keeping with the Southern California lifestyle, the LA auto show is usually a showcase for green cars, hybrid vehicles and electric transportation. But sports cars – especially convertibles – also command the spotlight. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage of the Los Angeles Auto Show here.